abuse
Abuse is to use something in a way that is wrong or that wasn't intended.
(verb)An example of abuse is to take prescription drugs for fun that you buy from a dealer instead of a doctor.
Abuse means to hurt or injure something or someone by acting badly or neglectfully.
(verb)Hitting your spouse or not feeding your pet are both examples of abuse.
Abuse is defined as injury or insult.
(noun)An example of abuse is not providing for the physical needs of a child.
The definition of abuse is the use of something for the wrong purpose.
(noun)An example of abuse is when a politician takes public finds for personal gain.
See abuse in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb abused, abusing
- to use wrongly; misuse: to abuse a privilege
- to hurt by treating badly; mistreat
- to inflict physical, sexual, or psychological harm upon
- to use insulting, coarse, or bad language about or to; revile
Origin: ME abusen < OFr abuser < L abusus, pp. of abuti, misuse < ab-, away, from + uti, to use
noun
- wrong, bad, or excessive use
- mistreatment, esp. by the infliction of physical, sexual, or psychological harm; injury
- a bad, unjust, or corrupt custom or practice
- insulting or coarse language
- Obsolete deception
See abuse in American Heritage Dictionary 4
transitive verb a·bused, a·bus·ing, a·bus·es
- To use wrongly or improperly; misuse: abuse alcohol; abuse a privilege.
- To hurt or injure by maltreatment; ill-use.
- To force sexual activity on; rape or molest.
- To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words; revile.
- Obsolete To deceive or trick.
- Improper use or handling; misuse: abuse of authority; drug abuse.
- Physical maltreatment: spousal abuse.
- Sexual abuse.
- An unjust or wrongful practice: a government that commits abuses against its citizens.
- Insulting or coarse language: verbal abuse.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English abusen
Origin: , from Old French abuser
Origin: , from abus, improper use
Origin: , from Latin abūsus
Origin: , past participle of abūtī, to misuse
Origin: : ab-, away; see ab-1
Origin: + ūtī, to use
.Related Forms:
- a·busˈer noun
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